A FORMER managing director of Brush Electrical Machines has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bill Petrie was born in Keith, Scotland in 1937 before moving to Rugby to study electrical engineering.

He married Pat in 1961 and had two sons and a daughter.

Bill joined the Brush in 1984 as sales director and was appointed managing director in 1988.

His family said Bill was devoted to his work and enjoyed every moment of it.

Some of his proudest moments included securing a £120m BR order for Brush locos; meeting the Queen after Brush was awarded an award for Export Achievement; and Brush Electrical Machines sharing an order for the design and manufacture of 40 locomotives valued at £75m to be built in Loughborough.

Bill retired in 1996 and enjoyed devoting his time to his five grandchildren. Despite falling ill in 2013, Bill insisted on attending the Brush 125th Jubilee celebration in August 2014.